News « OSU College of Education

Inclusivity and supportive learning environments are crucial for our students’ success, that is why we’ve asked Dr. April LaGue for advice on how we can better develop our curriculum and learning environments to support the LGBTQAI+ community. Read on to find out more!

Providing an inclusive and affirming curriculum for all students

In the realm of education, it is crucial that our curriculum aligns with the mission and vision of the College of Education. This sentiment is particularly emphasized by Dr. LaGue, a faculty member responsible for delivering instruction to students pursuing both school and mental health counseling degrees. Dr. LaGue underscores the significance of creating an environment where all students feel acknowledged, valued and supported.

To achieve this, Dr. LaGue proposes several essential elements that should be incorporated into our curriculum. This includes:

Accessibility and Innovation: By ensuring that our curriculum is accessible to all learners, we can break down barriers and provide equal opportunities for every student. Moreover, embracing innovation when designing our curriculum allows us to engage students in dynamic and transformative learning experiences.

The need for a diverse and representative author population as well as historical narratives: By incorporating perspectives from various backgrounds and cultures, and presenting a comprehensive view of history that incorporates the experiences of marginalized communities, we can foster inclusivity and provide students with a well-rounded education that reflects the diversity of our society.
Delivering education through a social justice lens: We need to integrate anti-bias education, which challenges stereotypes, biases, and prejudices. By doing so, we foster empathy, promote inclusivity, and encourage students to critically analyze societal issues through a lens of fairness and equality.
Regular assessment and revision of our curriculum: This ensures that we address any gaps, strengthen its impact, and continue to provide an educational experience that meets the needs of all students

Providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment for LGBTQAI+ students

To create a truly supportive learning environment, it is essential that we take proactive steps to foster inclusivity and acceptance. Here are six key strategies Dr. LaGue emphasized that can contribute to this important goal:

Establishing explicit classroom guidelines that prohibit any form of bullying, harassment, and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. By clearly outlining these expectations, we set a foundation for respectful and inclusive interactions among students.

Displaying inclusive and affirming symbols, posters, or literature throughout the learning environment can serve as powerful visual reminders of diversity and acceptance. This can help create a safe and welcoming space for students who identify as LGBTQAI+.

Actively engaging with LGBTQAI+ organizations or experts to gain insights and resources. By seeking their expertise, we can gain a deep understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTQAI+ individuals and access relevant materials that can enhance our curriculum and teaching approaches.

Avoid assumptions about students’ identities and utilize gender-neutral language whenever appropriate. Respecting students’ self-identification, chosen names, and pronouns is essential in creating an inclusive environment that acknowledges and affirms their individuality.

Collaborate with local or on-campus LGBTQAI+ organizations or community centers. By inviting guest speakers from these organizations, we can provide students with diverse perspectives and experiences, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for LGBTQAI+ issues.

Foster a culture where differences are celebrated and respected. This can be achieved by promoting open dialogue, understanding, and empathy through discussions, presentations, or awareness campaigns focused on LGBTQAI+ topics. By encouraging students to actively engage in these conversations, we empower them to become advocates for equality and inclusion.

What Dr. LaGue has learned while working with LGBTQAI+ students in supporting them

Dr. LaGue believes the importance of recognizing intersectionality is a crucial aspect of understanding the experiences of individuals within the LGBTQAI+ community. Their journeys are influenced by the complex interplay of multiple identities, including race, ethnicity, disability, and socioeconomic status, alongside their LGBTQAI+ identity. To truly support and empower these individuals, it is essential to actively listen to their stories, respect their self-identified labels, and allow them to define their own experiences. By fostering a non-judgmental learning environment that promotes empathy and validation of their experiences and concerns, we can create a space where every individual feels seen, understood, and valued.

Conclusion & Resources

In summary, Dr. LaGue underscores the importance of aligning our curriculum with the College of Education’s mission and vision. Through our collective efforts, we can ensure that all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive academically and personally and always feel that they have a safe space to express themselves. Dr. LaGue devotes her work to her students’ success and is a valued member of the Oregon Department of Education LGBTQ2SIA+ student success committee. Click here for more LGBTQ2SIA+ resources.

Hà Nội Ơi!

Greetings from Vietnam! In my regular job, I serve as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Science Education Professor at OSU’s College of Education. This year I’m on the very first sabbatical of my career, serving as visiting professor in the University of Education at Vietnam National University (VNU). I am also honored to serve here as a Fulbright Scholar.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international cultural exchange program, whose goal is to promote understanding between nations, advance knowledge across communities, and improve lives worldwide. As a Fulbright Scholar, I teach science education classes, provide professional development for VNU faculty, assist students and faculty with English speaking skills, and explore the possibility of a teaching internship for OSU students in Hà Nội schools. Even my day-to-day activities are part of the Fulbright mission, as I interact with my Vietnamese friends and neighbors and promote good will and mutual understanding.

Being introduced to VNU Faculty of Natural Sciences. (Photo by Randy Bell.)

This will be the first in a series of blogs that, along with plenty of photos, will recount my experiences in Vietnam. Through these updates, I hope not only to share more about this beautiful country and its people, but how my work as a faculty member of the College of Education is impacting university faculty and students on the other side of the world.

My first full month in Vietnam (October) was very busy! I moved into offices on two campuses and participated in Freshman welcoming ceremonies at the newly opened Hoa Lac VNU campus. This month I also conducted a half-dozen faculty seminars, taught three lessons to science education students, led Vietnamese children on a museum tour, provided three keynote addresses and was interviewed by a national Morning Show TV host. I even purchased a motorbike for transportation.

Keynote address for grand opening of VNU University of Education new location at Hoa Lac. (Photo by Randy Bell.)

Speaking of motorbikes, traffic is something else here in Hà Nội! Traffic rules are viewed simply as mild suggestions, and it’s not uncommon to see drivers blatantly run red lights or drive the wrong way on a six-lane highway! Even crossing the street is hazardous, as pedestrians do not have the right of way. Westerners here exclaim in frustration (and fear) that Hà Nội traffic is crazy, and most can’t believe I drive here. But I think that’s not the only way to look at it– Hà Nội traffic norms are undoubtedly different from what’s familiar, but they work for Hà Nội. In the US, we (generally) obey traffic rules so that we can drive safely at high speeds on fairly open roads. In Hà Nội, where the roads are exponentially more crowded, it’s the driver’s responsibility to maintain a reasonable speed and anticipate other drivers and pedestrians to make unexpected moves. When this happens, you simply drive around the temporary obstacle while beeping your horn. In this way, traffic flows, and people get where they’re going even when the traffic is extremely heavy.

I see Hà Nội traffic as a metaphor for my Fulbright experience here in Vietnam. The language, professional, and cultural norms here differ significantly from what I’ve known as an OSU professor. As a visitor to this rich culture, I am enjoying the opportunity to experience these differences and step outside of my comfort zone as I consider new possibilities for how to work and live productively. I am blessed with new friends and colleagues eager to guide me on this journey to understand and become a better-connected citizen of the world. Living abroad can be difficult, and even a little scary at times, but just like crossing a busy street in Hà Nội, faith, courage, and little help from your friends can get you where you want to be.

My home for the next year is the Nam Từ Liêm district of Hà Nội, the capital city of Vietnam. Being from Oregon, I’m used to rainy weather, but still adjusting to the high temperature and higher humidity here.

Sunset on West lake, Hà Nội. (Photo by Randy Bell)

People have been living in Hà Nội for more than 1,000 years, so there’s plenty to do and see when I’m not engaged in professional duties. My colleagues and I have formed an English Club in which they hone their conversational English skills and I work on my Vietnamese. We always have a great time, and travel around Hà Nội for great food and views. Of all the wonderful things I’ve experienced in Vietnam, the best is the friendship and good times I’ve enjoyed with my new colleagues.

Till next time, Tạm biệt! Randy

Photo of a person sitting with a laptop in front of them on a desk and their hand on a computer mouse.

Dr. Arien K. Muzacz, clinical associate professor for the College of Education’s Master of Counseling Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, is helping usher in a new era where counseling services will reach clients through technology.

Last fall, Dr. Muzacz was the recipient of a professional development award from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC); this summer, she completed required trainings and a national exam to earn a new credential, the BC-TMH (Board Certification in Telemental Health). The award, which is presented through the NBCC’s Center for Credentialing & Education, included a $500 award to help Dr. Muzacz facilitate professional development in the area of telemental health.

The NBCC is the nation’s premier certification board devoted to credentialing those who meet standards for the general and specialty practices of professional counseling. The organization also provides what is considered the Gold Standard for those practicing remotely or specializing in telemental health.

Telehealth, which is the distribution of health-related services through technology, is not new. Many Oregonians have used technology to communicate with their health care providers in some form or another, whether it is setting up appointments, checking lab results, or consulting on a new health concern. However, telehealth became more common and more vital during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, the telehealth innovations that came out of that global crisis do not always benefit clients in need of counseling services.

Beyond the obvious privacy concerns, many Oregonians may not have access to internet-ready devices, or the bandwidth needed to get telehealth services. Even in heavily populated areas like Portland, potential clients may rely on libraries or other public spaces for their internet access — hardly an ideal situation for a counseling session.

“As counselors, we are always looking for ways to reduce barriers for our clients,” said Dr. Muzacz. “Telehealth has great potential in this area. Even without the pandemic, telehealth could help counselors reach those living in very rural locations, or in smaller communities where in-person counseling services are few or nonexistent.”

But barriers still exist. Beyond access to the needed technology, Dr. Muzacz notes that it is vital for counselors to ensure confidentiality and implement best practices to make sure clients receive the same quality of care they would when meeting with a counselor in person.

“During the height of the pandemic, some privacy requirements through the Health and Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) were waived as the need for telemental health grew during an unprecedented crisis,” said Dr. Muzacz. “But as social distancing and other restrictions have eased, those exemptions are being reversed and counselors providing remote services will need to adapt to ensure privacy for their clients.”

Dr. Muzacz’s NBCC certification will allow her to build on her own expertise as a professional counselor and set an example for many of the College of Education Master’s students who are considering careers in telemental health.

“Due largely to the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home is very appealing to many of our students,” Dr. Muzacz said. “It’s our responsibility to fill in the gaps in their training to make sure they’re providing the highest quality care. I’m looking forward to helping them integrate these standards into their professional practice.”

The College of Education congratulates Dr. Muzacz on her award and the vital work she does for our students and our fellow Oregonians.

Post written by Marsh Myers

Amanda Kibler is a Professor and Program Chair at the College of Education, whose work was recently published in the NYS TESOL (New York State Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) Journal. To read her open access article for free, titled Teacher Collaboration To Support Multilingual Students Designated As English Learners: Ecological Perspectives and Critical Questions, follow the link here.

Across Oregon, many school districts find themselves in short supply of qualified dual language teachers. With almost 20% of students being current or prior English learners, there is a new level of importance being placed on providing opportunities for educators to earn a dual language specialization.

In 2018, a 5 year, $2.5 million grant funded through the Office of English Language Acquisition National Professional Development from the U.S. Department of Education provided funding for over 80 in-service and pre-service teachers to earn their English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement or Dual Language (DL) specialization.

The success of the program led to a new iteration of the grant, known as TEAMS 2.0. The new round of the program will support 100 teachers to earn their ESOL Endorsement and/or DL Specialization, expand the pool of new dual language teachers in partnered districts, and provide DL-focused professional learning opportunities for their current DL educators.

The award for TEAMS 2.0 is approximately $2.7 million and will run through 2026. Along with ESOL and DL specialization for teachers, the grant will support faculty and doctorate students in conducting related research.

The program courses are all offered through OSU Ecampus, allowing TEAMS 2.0 recipients to complete the coursework remotely and in tandem with their teaching. The courses focus on professional development for licensed educators teaching English learners (EL) and bilingual students.

TEAMS 2.0 expands

This year, three new school district partners will be included in TEAMS 2.0: Portland Public Schools, Woodburn School District, and Hood River School District. The returning partner districts are Beaverton School District, Bend-La Pine School District, Corvallis School District, Greater Albany School District, and Springfield School District.

“By expanding our work to more districts, we will increase the ripple effects that TEAMS has across the state,” said TEAMS Program Coordinator Nelly Patiño-Cabrera and Principal Investigator Karen Thompson. “This work also builds on successful efforts during TEAMS 1.0 to deepen family and community engagement in partner districts.”

Along with new district partners, a priority of TEAMS 2.0 is a focus on literacy among EL students and multilingual families. As part of TEAMS 1.0, each district group partnered with a local organization to co-design and co-implement activities for multilingual families, said the TEAMS 2.0 coordinators.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, TEAMS 1.0 participants in Corvallis collaborated with the Corvallis Public Library to design, assemble, and distribute literacy activity bags to 200 families, including bilingual books, writing materials, and instructions for literacy-focused activities caregivers and children could complete together.”

TEAMS 2.0 aims to build on the work of TEAMS 1.0, prioritizing meaningful collaboration between more than just the teachers and EL students, but their families and communities.

Why TEAMS 2.0?

Over the past six years, OSU has recruited 126 in-service teachers in four cohorts, far exceeding its goal of 80 teachers. As of November 2021, 107 teachers have completed coursework with 97 earning an ESOL endorsement and/or DL specialization.

“We met and exceeded our goal of supporting 80 teachers, and found that 95% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that TEAMS 1.0 was effective in preparing them to serve EL students, and increasing their knowledge and skills related to parent, family, and community engagement,” said TEAMS 2.0 Coordinators.

Prior to entering the program, 25% of participants reported being confident or very confident in using ESOL instructional practices in the classroom; this increased to 92% after completing TEAMS.

Tiffany Day, a first grade teacher at William Walker Elementary in Beaverton, Oregon, was a recipient of the TEAMS 1.0 grant and found that the strategies she learned through the program have helped her better meet the needs of her students.

“I feel very fortunate to have been able to participate in the grant program. The knowledge gained was much more beneficial and practical after having taught at a school with a high Emergent Bilingual population and with 10 years of experience using the co-teaching model,” Day said.

Many other TEAMS 1.0 students found that the program helped them better understand issues of equity and social justice and empower them to play a proactive role in their schools.

“Participants said they had built stronger relationships and collaboration with both EL specialists and other classroom teachers, and that the program had a major impact on their ability and motivation to engage with multilingual students’ families and communities,” said TEAMS 2.0 Coordinators. “They had become more adept at building relationships because of their deeper understanding of family and community needs.”

TEAMS 2.0 Coordinators Patiño-Cabrera and Thompson anticipate that the project will have ripple effects on other teachers in schools, through developing design structures in partnering districts, providing stipends for teachers to lead future professional development activities, and a continuation of the College of Education’s partnerships throughout the state.

“Beyond impacts on individuals, TEAMS 2.0 will have important long-term impacts on the College of Education. We are sustaining and establishing new partnerships with school districts around the state and strengthening collaboration with OSU faculty on research projects.”

Michelle Maller (right) and Misty de Lei (left) will join OSU Counseling as Program Coordinator and Head Advisor.

OSU Counseling is thrilled to announce and introduce our new Counseling Program Coordinator and Counseling Head Advisor! Michelle Maller and Misty de Lei will start their respective roles as Program Coordinator and Head Advisor starting March 1. Both have extensive experience in supporting students and programs at Oregon State University in prior roles.

Michelle Maller (she/her/hers), Counseling Program Coordinator, holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from OSU and a master’s of science degree in Academic Advising from Kansas State University. Michelle has worked at OSU in the College of Forestry since 2013, first as undergraduate program coordinator and later as internship and education coordinator. She has organized and led DEI workshops, played a major role in accreditation efforts, coordinated curriculum revision proposals, and served as PI on Federal grants. She is currently Senator Elect of the OSU Faculty Senate. Michelle is a fourth generation Beaver, graduating with her undergraduate degree from OSU. She is also currently completing her PhD at Kansas State University. Her future goals are to be a continual advocate for students and for the program.

Misty de Lei (she/her/hers), Counseling Head Advisor, received both her BS in Psychology and a Masters of Education in Counseling at Washington State University. She has worked in various higher education institutions providing counseling and advising services since 2012. She has spent the last six and a half years at OSU working as an academic advisor and student employee supervisor for the College of Business (COB). Misty is actively involved with the OSU community, serving as a faculty advisor for clubs, a member of several advising committees, and a volunteer for cultural diversity events. Outside of OSU, Misty enjoys playing video games, participating in Corvallis sports leagues (soccer, ultimate Frisbee, & softball), and spending time with her family.

Please join in extending welcome and congratulations to our two new fabulous staff in Counseling!

OSU Counseling was honored to receive the 2022 Counseling Program award from the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE), a division of the American Counseling Association (ACA). This prestigious and competitive award is presented to a counseling program that has demonstrated a commitment to the promotion of LGBTGEQIAP+ awareness and affirmation. The award will be presented to OSU counseling faculty at the national conference of the American Counseling Association this April.

Our program seeks to decrease barriers to entering and completing graduate school for students who identify as LGBTGEQIAP+, and to prepare counselors to counsel and advocate for clients who identify as LGBTGEQIAP+. As an example of this, in 2021 OSU counseling faculty assisted school counselors to implement Gender Identity Support plans to advocate for students who identify as gender expansive. What began as a program piloted at one elementary school quickly spread and is now used by school counselors in the second-largest school district in Oregon.

January 31, 2022

CORVALLIS, OR— Oregon State University’s College of Education invites community members to attend the Pecha Kucha event held on Thursday, February 10, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Horizon Room. College of Education faculty and students will present their research and innovations in the classroom, in the traditional Pecha Kucha format.

A Pecha Kucha is a fun and dynamic way to present an idea or a topic. Japanese for “chit chat,” Pecha Kucha started in Japan in 2003 and has now spread across the globe. It consists of 20 slides with each slide shown for 20 seconds only. Set on an automatic timer, each presentation lasts exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

The event will feature Cory Buxton, presenting Language, Culture and Knowledge-Building Through Science; Kathryn McIntosh, presenting Critical Race Feminism, Social Justice, and Mindfulness; Tenisha Tevis, presenting How I Affect Space; Ryan Reece, presenting I Wonder, What is Nature?; Melinda Knapp, presenting Opportunities and Challenges in Learning to Teach Mathematics; Shawn Rowe, presenting There and Back Again: Lessons from O Olhar do Visitante; Unique Page, presenting Is Our Language Color Coded? The Origin Story of my Dissertation; Cass Dykeman, presenting Moving Toward the End: Examining Suicide Through the Lens of Natural Language Processing; and Amanda Kibler, presenting Who is in the Room Matters: Reflections on Multilingual Language Development Inside and Outside the Classroom.

The event will be in-person and available virtually over Zoom. Registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendees. Individuals attending the event in person will be required to show proof of vaccination and adhere to Oregon State University’s COVID guidelines. Food and drink will be provided for attendees as well.
For more information and to register for the event, visit https://beav.es/w3v. For questions related to the event, please contact John Scholl at dean_coed@oregonstate.edu.

Following an article published in the Corvallis Gazette-Times, covering the recent changes made by Corvallis School District to mathematics instruction in K-7 schools, Dr. Rebekah Elliott argues in her letter to the editor that peer-reviewed research supports the de-tracking of mathematics.

Dr. Elliott reports that this body of work provides evidence that detracked systems can support all learners and tracked systems negatively impact learners’ mathematical long term success because the system emphasizes acceleration over deep learning of concepts. Acceleration means that students often don’t engage in problem-solving of ill-structured problems that are seen as essential for STEM degrees and cultivating productive mathematical reasoning. Tracked educational systems create courses where students in “low track” courses repeat content year after year without evidence that these opportunities lead to academic success. Many of these students become adults who have developed math anxiety and are community members who exclaim that they are not a “math-person!” What that means for Oregon is economic loss, some estimate in the billions of dollars, lack of mathematical literacy essential for workforce development, and community members who don’t have access to quantitative reasoning to make sense of the complex problems facing us today. Dr. Elliott’s research investigates mathematics leadership development to reduce racial and educational injustice and to advance ambitious and anti-bias mathematics instruction. Read Elliott’s published letter below.

“More than 25 years of peer-reviewed research supports Corvallis School District’s mathematics instruction efforts.

Research documents the pedagogical practices needed to build a detracked educational system and support each and every student to be challenged mathematically. Tracking’s negative impact on learners’ long-term mathematical understanding and enrollment in advanced mathematics courses has long been documented.

Employing the pedagogical skills well supported by research, detracked classrooms do not reduce the opportunity for in-depth learning of mathematics; in fact, they increase it and attend to the disproportionate effects of tracking on students of color, including girls of color. This is why every professional mathematical and statistical organization supports detracking K-12 mathematics.

In a 2015 report, a third to half of Oregon’s students entering college were enrolled in a developmental math course (middle or high school mathematics content). We need a mathematics education system where every student can solve complex real-world problems in a data-rich world. We know the pedagogical strategies needed to support thriving in mathematics and creating opportunities for supported learning in a detracked system.

Corvallis administrators must provide the professional development, time, and ongoing support essential for every teacher to take up the pedagogical practices needed so that every student may engage in challenging and exciting mathematics. I am confident that the Corvallis middle school teachers have the skill and knowledge to do so! Do we as a community have the will to hold up a mirror and address the systemic racism that permeates our educational system?

Rebekah Elliott

Corvallis

OSU College of Education

News and more from the College of Education at Oregon State University

Category Archives: News

Rainbows of Reflection: Celebrating and Empowering LGBTQAI+ students in 2023 – Insights from a discussion with April LaGue

Chào Thầy! Professing in Vietnam with Dr. Randy Bell, Part 1

Dr. Arien K. Muzacz and the challenges and potential of telemental health

Molalla River School District Staff Spotlight: Sergio Maldonado

TEAMS 2.0: Creating a ripple effect in bilingual education across Oregon

Counseling program welcomes Michelle Maller and Misty de Lei!

OSU Counseling recognized for promotion of LGBTGEQIAP+ awareness and affirmation

College of Education presents Pecha Kucha Event

Letter to the Editor: Research supports Corvallis School District’s math instruction

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